4th Sunday of Advent, Year C, 19.12.2021

 Micah 5:1-4 / Hebrews 10:5-10 / Luke 1:39-44

It is understandable if we are still wondering whether we should get any presents for our relatives and friends. 

Other than presents for our loved ones, which is already mind-cracking enough as to what to get for them, we might want to skip getting presents for those who are outside the family. 

After all, we might have already skipped it last Christmas, so we might as well skip it for this year. 

Well, the reason, or excuse, is that the restrictions are similar to that of last year, so if we can't meet them, then there is no need to give them. 

And also shopping for presents was not like before as there seems to be lesser merchandise in the stores, and online shopping is not usually the “what-you-see-is-what-you-get”. 

But maybe, just a thought for the seniors, who are already quite cramped up at home. 

Instead of getting them another set of bed sheets or pyjamas or health supplements or hair dye, why not get them some tech gadgets. 

Maybe give them a new hand-phone instead of some old hand downs. Or a smart TV. Or maybe even a gaming console. 

We cannot underestimate the tech potential of the seniors. We just have to be patient in starting them off and then we will be surprised how far they will go. 

But it is not just about giving them a tech gadget to electrify their lives.

Because in giving them such presents, we would also have to give them our presence, and that is to be with them.

Because we will have to spend time teaching them how to use those gadgets, like taking photos and making video calls. 

In other words, we want to enable them to make themselves present to us, as well as for us to be present to them via the electronic means. 

Such are the advantages of technology as it can help us make connections with our loved ones and to feel each other's presence. 

But in the gospel, Mary didn't have such means to connect with Elizabeth. She had to set off quickly as the journey would take some time. And it was also to a hill country and that means rather rough terrain. 

But Mary was aware of Elizabeth's pregnancy since the angel had told her about it. 

And she was sensitive to Elizabeth needs, although she had her own needs to. 

Mary's journey to visit Elizabeth has this to teach us, and that is, there is nothing more powerful and profound then sharing the gift of our presence. 

Elizabeth felt the presence of the Lord in Mary and even the child in her womb leaped for joy. 

And Mary also received the affirmation from Elizabeth that she was going to be the mother of God. 

It was a beautiful moment for the two expectant mothers. And it was also a powerful experience of the presence of God in each other. 

So, if we are still thinking of what presents to get for our loved ones, whether they are seniors or otherwise, let us think about presents that will also let them experience our presence. 

It could be something that they need, or something that they will wear, or something that they will use. 

Let our Christmas presents be a gift of our loving presence to others. 

God gave us His only Son Jesus to be the Emmanuel, the “God-is-with-us”. 

That is how much God wants to be present to us. 

May what we give to others also be a symbol of how much we love them and want to be with them.

3rd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 11.12.2021

  Zephaniah 3:14-18 / Philippians 4:4-7 / Luke 3:10-18

The year-long celebration of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Catholic Church in Singapore concluded yesterday, 11th December. 

We may wonder why the 11th December, and some other date. That is because on the 11th of December 1821, and that was two hundred years ago, a Catholic priest by the name of Father Laurent Imbert, stopped by Singapore on a mission to China. 

Though he did not establish a mission in Singapore, he wrote a letter to his Superior in which he said that he found about a dozen Catholics, all living in pitiful conditions and having forgotten about their religion. 

As it is always said, the rest is history, as Singapore grew from a little humble mission station to a bustling Archdiocese, with 32 parishes, all that in a relatively small island. 

So, the Church in Singapore had humble beginnings, but it grew and after two hundred years, we are looking at how God has blessed the Church in Singapore. 

Yes, we give thanks and we rejoice that the Lord has blessed and guided the Church over these two hundred years. 

We look back and we see the wonders and marvels the Lord has done through the Church, in the areas of education, healthcare, social service and proclaiming the Good News to all who are called by God to be His children. 

But, more than just what we, the Church in Singapore has done, we need to look at what needs to be done and to also ask for the Lord's blessings to do it. 

In the gospel, when the people heard the message of repentance from John the Baptist they had one question. The tax collectors, the soldiers and the people asked this question: What must we do? 

We too, as we look at the two hundred years of being Church in Singapore, we must also ask this question: What must we do? 

Yes, what must we do? What is it that the Lord wants us to do? 

As we think about this, let us also remember that what we do flows from who we are. In other words, action flows from being. 

We need to think about who we are first, and then we will know what we must do. 

The mission of the Church is to be a sign of salvation and to lead people to Jesus the Saviour. 

So, we are called to be signs of salvation, and that we know who Jesus is, and that others can see Jesus in us. 

And how do they see Jesus in us? The 2nd reading tells us this: Let your tolerance be evident to everyone. The Lord is near. There is no need to worry, but if there is anything you need, pray for it, asking God for it with prayer and thanksgiving, and that peace of God, which is so much greater than we can understand, will guard your hearts and your thoughts, in Christ Jesus. 

When others can see that in us, that we are a joyful and thankful people, then they will want us to bring them to Church. 

They will want to know how to pray and how to be at peace. They will want to know who Jesus is and to seek forgiveness and healing. 

Yes, when others see that this is who we are, then what we need to do will come naturally. 

God has called us to be His people, and blessed us with the gift of faith. 

Let us be a blessing for others, so that as church, we will journey on with rejoicing and thanksgiving.

2nd Sunday of Advent, Year C, 05.12.2021

 Baruch 5:1-9 / Philippians 1:3-6, 8-11 / Luke 3:1-6

When it comes to size, whatever we may say or think about it, it is usually the bigger the better. 

The inclination is always for the bigger and not so much for the smaller. For example, a big car is preferred over a small car, at least where stability and safety are considered. 

A bigger house has more advantages over a smaller house. There can be more rooms and more space. 

A big budget is obviously more favourable than a small budget; more money would mean less anxiety. 

When it comes to big, it is not just about size or space or money. Because it comes to big names, it has that ability to draw attention, and maybe even investment. 

Movies starring big-name actors will certainly draw attention, and could be a factor for successful movies. 

Advertisements that have famous and popular personalities or celebrities, get the attention, regardless of the quality of the product. 

So, if there is a big name, added to a big-budget, and in a big setting, that seems like a formula for success. At least there will be attention. 

In the gospel, there were big names, in big places, and they also have great power and authority. 

The first of the big names is Tiberius Caesar, and he was the emperor of the Roman Empire at that time. So he was right there at the top. 

After that it is like a name list of the high and mighty. Pontius Pilate, governor of Judaea; Herod, tetrarch of Galilee; Philip, tetrarch of Ituraea and Trachonitis; Lysanias, tetrarch of Abilene. 

Also in the list are the chief priests, Annas and Caiaphas. 

They were the political and religious big names of the time. Their names were like on everyone's lips. To know them personally was certainly a big advantage. 

And then, almost like with the blink of the eye, came a name out of nowhere, if the wilderness can be called nowhere. 

And from that nowhere, came a nobody, John son of Zechariah. And it was to him that the Word of God came upon.

And it was this John, a nobody from nowhere, who proclaimed that big message of baptism for the repentance and forgiveness of sins. 

It was the voice of John the Baptist that cried out in the wilderness to prepare a way for the Lord and to make his paths straight. 

As we come to the Second Sunday of Advent, we see two lighted candles in the Advent wreath. It is not a big fire but just two little lights. 

Big things may draw attention, but it is the humble little things that lead us to a direction and maybe even an enlightenment. 

Big things may generate a lot of publicity, but it is the little humble things that points to the reality. 

And the reality is that the little and humble things can be difficult to see, and they can be difficult to find if they are lost. Those who have lost an earring will know how difficult it is to search for it. 

But when little things are done with big love, then it is like seeds that are planted with the hope that they will grow into strong big trees. 

When little things are done with big love, they are like little lights in the dark. There is no need for a big fire, little lights are good enough. 

As we begin the second week of Advent, let us look for the little humble acts of love that are around us. May we see these little humble acts of love as little lights that are leading us to Jesus the True Light, and may we also do little things with a big love.

1st Sunday of Advent, Year C, 28.11.2021

 Jeremiah 33:14-16 / 1 Thess 3:12 – 4:2 / Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

One of the easily available nutritious tropical fruit is the humble papaya. 

The papaya has a sweet taste and a vibrant colour and the wide variety of health benefits make the papaya a popular fruit. 

It is available at most times of the year and it is also not that expensive. In fact, it may be called a budget fruit. 

And it can be eaten in many ways. It can be sliced up and refreshing to eat when it is chilled. It can be added to salads, or blended into smoothies, or for toppings on the ice cream, or even added into soup. 

The nutrients found in the papaya are thought to have a range of health benefits, and may help to protect against a number of health conditions. 

But of course, having said all that, as in everything that is good and beneficial, it has to be eaten in moderation. 

What is usually done when we want to eat the papaya, is to cut it up and the roundish black seeds are removed and discarded. 

But here is where we might just want to take a moment to do a reflection. 

The seeds, unlike the skin of the papaya, is not useless just because we don't consume them. 

In fact, each seed, if planted and nurtured, has the potential to germinate and grow into a tree and bear fruit. 

So, each seed is a sign of life, and it is up to us whether we want to do something about it. 

In the gospel, Jesus talked about signs when He said that there will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars. He goes on to give a disturbing and terrifying picture of what might seem to be the end times. 

But Jesus also added by saying that it is in those times that the Son of Man will come in a cloud with power and great glory. 

With that, Jesus tells us what we should do for now, and that is to watch ourselves, or our hearts will be coarsened with the unimportant things of life. 

Jesus ends off by urging us to stay awake, praying at all times and to stand in confidence. 

Yes, we have to watch ourselves and stay awake and keep our hearts from being coarsened and hardened by the cares of this world, and ignoring the signs that God is showing us. 

As we begin the season of Advent, we light the first candle of the Advent wreath. This first Sunday of Advent marks a new beginning in the liturgical life of the church. 

The lighted candle is a sign for us to reflect deeper about life, so that we can see more signs that are pointing to life and love. 

There is this story of a traveller who came upon an empty plot of land. He noticed an elderly man walking about in the barren land with a metal pipe in his hand. 

As he walked around, he would stop now and then to poke the metal pipe into the ground and then he would drop a seed from the other end of the pipe. 

The traveller was curious and asked the elderly man what he was doing. The man replied, “When I came into this world, there were fruit trees and I enjoyed the fruits that others before me had planted. I want to do the same, so that the next generation can have fruits to enjoy.” 

So, the next time when we cut up a papaya, let us take a moment to look at the seeds. 

We may know the number of seeds in a papaya, but only God knows the number of papayas there can be in a seed. 

The signs that God wants us to look at are not in the sun or moon or stars. 

God wants us to look at the signs in the people that we encounter. 

God wants us to see that in each person, there is a potential to bear fruits of life and love. 

When we can see that, then the season of Advent would prepare us for a joyful celebration of life and love.

Christ the King, Year B, 21.11.2021

 Daniel 7:13-14 / Apocalypse 1:5-8 / John 18:33-37

Whenever the word courage is mentioned, there is usually something inspirational that comes along with it. 

The meaning of courage is the ability to do something that is frightening, and that ability may come all of a sudden, or after a decision. 

So, it can be something like running into a burning building to save people, or having that strength in the face of pain or suffering. 

It can be anything as dramatic as a battle scenario where the outnumbered soldiers held the line against the onslaught of an overpowering enemy. 

Or it can be as quiet as a candle in the wind, holding on to its flame. 

These are inspiring images of courage, and often it is in a time of crisis that courage is put to the test. 

Hence, it is said that crisis does not build character. It only brings out the character. 

Another example of courage is to speak out against a powerful person or organisation. 

Quite often, it is only when the person or organization is no more in power or disposed of power, that criticisms come out against that person or organization. 

But it takes real courage to speak out against a powerful person or organisation, and knowing that there will be serious consequences for doing so. 

In the gospel passage, there are just two characters, Jesus and Pilate. Pilate was the one in power and he interrogated Jesus with the first question: Are you the king of the Jews? 

It was a question of curiosity. Pilate was curious as to why others called Jesus the King of the Jews. 

Jesus addressed Pilate’s curiosity and also answered Pilate’s question. 

But Pilate was not prepared for the answer that Jesus gave, that He is a king, He was born for this, He came into the world for this, to bear witness to the Truth, and all who are on the side of Truth listen to His voice. 

That reply of Jesus threw Pilate into a confusion. Pilate thought he was in control but now he was confused. 

Pilot was curious to know who Jesus is, and maybe to learn more about Him and to understand why Jesus was handed over to him. 

It takes curiosity to learn. 

And it takes courage to unlearn. 

Learning requires the humility to admit what we don't know today. 

Unlearning requires the courage to admit that we were wrong yesterday. 

Learning is how we evolve. Unlearning is how we keep up as the world and the people around us evolve. 

We may not be powerful in terms of might and strength, but pride is a powerful force that blocks out what we don't want to see and hear. 

If pride and might are the obstacles that we have put up as our security blocks against others, then humility and courage is what we must pray for if we want to be truly human. 

Deep within us, we want to be loving, kind, compassionate, forgiving, patient, gentle and also courageous. 

If we truly acknowledge Jesus as our Lord and King, then we will want to be humble and learn to live as a human being who carries the image of God within. 

Let us also ask Jesus our Lord and King for the courage to change, and to be that person who lives in truth and in love.

33rd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 14.11.2021

  Daniel 12:1-3 / Hebrews 10:11-14, 18 / Mark 13:24-32

There are a few ways to make it known to others that we are in need of help. 

The most obvious way is to call out for help, or if it is a desperate and urgent case, then it will be to cry out for help. 

Another way is to write, or text a request for help, but that is usually done when help is not required urgently or immediately. 

There can be situations where help is required desperately, but it cannot be communicated verbally and the written form may not be quite enough to obtain the desired response. 

Just a couple of days ago, there was an article in the newspapers with this caption: “Teach children hand signals to seek help if they face abuse as Covid-19 curbs limit social interactions.” 

The article covered a symposium held a few days ago about child abuse. It said that Singapore recorded the highest number of child abuse cases in a decade last year. 

The pandemic has made it harder for children who are victims of abuse to seek help, as home-based learning and more time stuck at home have limited their social interactions. 

Hence it is more important now than before to let children know about non-verbal ways to ask for help. 

So now, there is a campaign to adopt a hand signal as a non-verbal way that victims can use to get help. 

That hand signal is done by first showing one hand, and then tucking the thumb into the palm, and then holding the other four fingers down over the thumb. 

This signal will be a way to seek help for those, whether children or adults, who cannot safely express their need for help verbally. 

When we listen to what Jesus said in the gospel, we would imagine that it was a frightening time. 

There is distress, the sun will be darkened, the moon will lose its brightness and the stars will fall from heaven. 

With those terrifying signs, we would certainly cry out for help. 

And the consolation is that Jesus promised that He will come with great power and glory, and that He will send the angels to gather His chosen from the ends of the world to the ends of heaven. 

But as for that day or hour, we don't know when, and nobody knows it too.

But we don't have to wait for that day or hour to come and then ask for help. 

Now is the time to prepare for it and learn how to ask for help. Of course, we will ask for help in our prayer, and we are able to verbalize our intentions with words and we can also write down our petitions. 

But we have to prepare for a time when darkness clouds our minds and the distress overwhelms our hearts and no words of prayer come out of our mouths. 

That happens when grief and fear leave us paralyzed and we felt like we are frozen. 

Yet it is interesting to note of the several ways of non-verbal prayer, like kneeling and clasping hands in a prayer posture, or stretching out our hands to the One who has the power to save us. 

The most profound act of faith and prayer is when we come forward to receive Holy Communion. 

With one hand over the other, we receive the Body of Christ. Other than saying “Amen”, no other words are necessary as we received Jesus into our hearts, and there He makes His home in us. 

Heaven and earth will pass away, but Jesus will always come and stay. 

We just have to stretch out our hands and say “Amen”. 

That is all that is needed for us to profess that Jesus is our Saviour, and He will come to help us and save us.

32nd Ordinary Sunday, Year B, 07.11.2021

 1 Kings 17:10-16 / Hebrews 9:24-28 / Mark 12:38-44

One of the annoying and disappointing things to read is the notice with the words “out of stock”, and it is usually written in red capital letters. 

And that is usually applied to things that are popular, or even needed, and it is like on almost everyone's “must get” list. 

So, when a new handphone model is available, quite quickly it will go out of stock. Well, that can be expected as there is always this craze for new feature-filled gadgets. 

But there are also other things that can go out of stock that leaves us quite puzzled. 

For example, about a year ago, toilet rolls can go out of stock, and there were pictures circulating around of some people with shopping trolleys that are stacked with packets of toilet rolls. 

It seems funny now, but no one was laughing then, and it left us bewildered and frustrated. 

It was also around that time when the shelves of the supermarkets were cleaned out of dried and canned food. There was no need to even put the sign “out of stock”. It was obvious enough. 

At that time, a few other things were also out of stock, like face masks and handheld thermometers. But that is in good supply now. 

Currently, one of the must-have items is the Covid self-test kit. Let us hope that that will not go out of stock. 

But seriously, even if certain things can really go out of stock for a while, yet it must also be remembered that there is enough for everyone's need but never enough for everyone's greed. 

Greed comes from selfishness, and that is essentially a lack of consideration for other people, and concerned chiefly with one's own personal profit or pleasure. 

And selfishness manifest itself most obviously in a time of need, when everyone just wants to think of themselves. 

In the 1st reading, the situation was that there was a famine and food was scarce. 

When the prophet Elijah asked the widow for some bread, she was already at her last meal and then she and her son will just wait for starvation to overcome them. 

But Elijah assured her that God will provide, and so out of her last meagre meal came forth a miracle. 

But the widow in the gospel passage did not have such an assurance. 

Jesus observed that the two small coins that she put in was all she had, all she had to live on. 

There was no further mention of that widow, or where, or when she would get her next meal. 

But we believe that God will provide for her, just as God had provided for the widow and her son in the 1st reading. 

The gospel message for us is that God sees our actions and knows our motives. 

When we give in to greed and selfishness, the world will be poorer, hungrier and sadder. 

But it doesn't have to be like that. In fact, we can change that. 

It calls for us to have faith In God's providence, that He will give us what we need, because He cares for us. 

Yes, God cares for us and He is calling us to care for others by sharing our resources with those in need. 

There is always enough for everyone's need but never enough for everyone's greed. 

The widow in the 1st reading with her last meal, and the widow in the gospel passage with her last two coins, have shown us this truth: 

When we are down to nothing, God will come up with something. 

Let us believe that, and God's miracles of generosity and providence will be shown to the world.